He also played cricket

Before he was a commentator, Richie Benaud was a shrewd captain and an ace legspinner, as he showed in the famous Old Trafford Test of 1961

May 2015

Richie Benaud: On the fourth evening, Benaud asked the retired Ray Lindwall if he should bowl around the wicket the next day. Lindwall saw merit in exploiting the deep footmarks, but warned that if Benaud strayed he'd get killed. Benaud didn't. England batsman Ken Barrington called it Benaud's finest hour as a bowler and tactician. "This chap's always thinking." Looking at the empty ground after the incredible game, Barrington couldn't help exclaiming, "Isn't it marvellous!"

Ted Dexter: During the first Test, Dexter received an anonymous letter: "If you're England's No. 3, I'm the Queen of Sheba." He scored an exquisite hundred in that match, and here in the fourth Test, with England needing 256 in just under four hours, he put them on course for a 2-1 lead. EW Swanton wrote of Dexter: "He gave one the feeling that he always wanted to be at the more difficult end." On 76, he nicked a ball from Benaud that rose a bit but hadn't pitched in the rough.

Raman Subba Row: Dexter's wicket triggered a massive collapse. Following a century stand with him, Subba Row - a 1961 Wisden Cricketer of the Year, as was Dexter - was bowled by Benaud, who had now dismissed four batsmen for 13 runs. England went to tea needing 93 in 85 minutes. They were bowled out for 201, losing nine wickets for 51. Benaud, who had missed the Lord's Test due to a shoulder tear, finished with 6 for 70.

Wally Grout: Grout had complained when a long hop from Benaud was dispatched to the boundary by Dexter. "Stick with me Wal, we're going to win," Benaud said. After another long hop went for four, Griz, as the keeper was known, stared at his captain angrily. The next ball looked like it was short again, but this one skidded and Dexter cut it straight into Grout's gloves to give him his 105th Test dismissal. He had reached the century landmark at Lord's earlier in the series.

Bob Simpson: Simpson aided Benaud with his fifth and sixth wickets, diving left at slip to spectacularly catch David Allen. One of the finest in that position, Simpson said the best slip fielders can take catches that most fielders would only get a hand to - or not even that. He also added a vital 113 with Bill Lawry in the second innings. In his next Test innings at Old Trafford, Simpson batted nearly 13 hours for his maiden century, finishing with 311, in a match as dull as this one was thrilling.